Continuous welding mechanism.



M. B. LLOYD. commuous WELDING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION TILED APR.16, 1912. v 1,124,760. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. B. LLOYD.

commuous, WELDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION TILED-APR. 15. 1912.

Patented J an. 12,1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. B. LLOYD. commons WELDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15. 1912.

.... 2. &

M. B. LLOYD CONTINUOUS WELDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED APR. 15. 1912.

1,124,760. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 II! Lj M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS WELDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15. 1912. v

. 1 124 760 Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

. HIHUHII'IIHIII UNITED-"STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARSHALL Bonus LLOYD, or mn vomnnn, MicHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY mnsnn ASSIGN- Maui's, TO THE ELYRIA 1mm & STEEL COMPANY, or ELYRIA, OHIO, A coarona- TION OF QHIQ.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' CONTINUOUS WELDI'NG MECHANISM.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

Original application filed July 12, 1911, Serial no. 638,203. Divided and this application filed April 15,

1912. Serial No.690,984.

To all whom it w ft-61mm 'Be it known that I, MABsHA'LL BURNS LLOYD, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Menominee, Menominee county, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Weld-* ing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. p

My invention relates to'improvements 1n machines for manufacturing welded metal tubing.

The object of my invention is to provide a mechanism which shall be" adapted to weld metal tubing, and particularly thin-walled metal'tubing', more rapidly, .more perfectly, more economically and with much less manual labor than has been possible hithsuch construction that metal tubing formed from strip stock may be continuously weldedand shaped, withoutmanual handling or intervention-,- andwithin a minimum of time and space.

A further and particular object of this invention is to provide an autdmatic mechanism for carrying out certaln steps of the improvements in theart ofmanufacturing tubing which are described and claimed in my'copending application filed July-12, 1911, Serial No. 638,202 and particularly described in my divisional process 6 application Serial No. 682,704,-filed March ou 1912. w

This present application is a division of my appending application Serial No. 638,203, J;\'1'1y;12, 191i, entitled Continuous tube l.

My invention consists in mechanism for setting tubes or tubing in motion longitudinally, in tomuination with rota, means located at one point in the path of he ,movingtubing whereby the seam edges of the tubing are pro ressively positioned for welding, and a gas 'flametorch for applying a. welding heat to the seam edges thus po'sitioned, to unite said edges. The means which I employ for applying the welding heat preferably comprises an oily-acetylene gas torchhaving its nozzle positioned to at the point mentioned, both throughthe medium of said rotary hereinafter set forth;

' My lnvention also consists in various conmeans, for purposes struet'ions and combinations of parts for accompllshmg' the effects above set forth,

all as hereinafter described and particularly pomtedout in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying dravvlngs, forming part of this specification, and in which: I

Figure l is a partial side elevation of a continuous tube mill equipped with'a Welding mechanism embodyingmyv invention;

Fig. 2' is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the welding devices;-

Figs.- 3?, 3",- 3 ,'3, 3 and 3 are cross-sectional news, illustrating the evolution or developticular kind herein shown. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section of the welding mechanism on the line 4--4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on the hue 5-5nof.I i-g's 3 and 4; and Fig. 6 is an -ment of the tube, inama'chine of the parenlarged transverse section on the line 66 of Figs. 1 and 3, clearly illustrating. the seam positioning device employed in a .machine of the type herein illustrated.

The complete apparatus or mechanism herein illustrated belongs to a continuous tube mill which is described and claimed in my copending application Serial Number 638,203. Thls, present invention is in no wise limited to the precise welding mechanlsm herein illustrated, for it may readily be modified by one who is skilled in the art, Without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. These improvements are applicable m and greatly simplify those processes of manufacturin "tubing which are characterby the a' dition of metal With which to close theseam of the tube; as for example, the process of manufacturing brazed tubing, as distinguished from the autogenou's w ldi'n herein described.

' In-tfe drawings, Z, represents a stron table or bench, which supportsthe severa operating parts of the machine. At one development of the tubing are end of this bench is a tube-forming mechanism A. Next to the tubeforming mechanism is a welding mechanism B, and then followsa bur-removing mechanism C. The

W'vorking parts and faces of the several mechanisms on the bench are preferably arranged in longitudinal working alinement, and any given piece orlength of tubing material which occupies the machine, considered from end to end thereof, is therefore maintained in straight line, non-distorted condition, while it (such piece orenter the die A; and Fig. 3 shows the form of the tube as it emerges fromthe die A. The edges of the metal strip are indicated by the character, t,throughout; and as shown in Fig. 3: these edges are in substantial abutment when the vtube leaves the forming die A. These abutting edges,

separated by a very narrow crack,const1-.

' tute the seam whichx'is to be closed. -At the moment that the material emerges'from the forming mechanism .A, it has taken on its form as a tube, and, as indicated, pre- .sents its open seam at the top. The nature of the welding mechanism is such as to. re uire the seam of the tube to occupy aposition, and to prepare the tubing for reception ite or substantially definite plane or by otherparts of the welding mech- I employ a tube-seantpositiohing In the drawings, this seam posidevice is indicated by the charac- Due to various causes, the initial amsm, device. tionin ter A seam or seam edges of the tubing are often spirally twisted or at least an irre or wavy seam. H The positioning device effects the correction of this tendency and causes the tubing to emerge from die A and enter the welding mechanism with the forms an seam of" the tubing in substantially exact alinement with the axis of the tubing and directly above said axis. The tube seam positionin device may partake of various it may be arranged within the confines of the forming mechanism or may be interposed between the die A and the welding mechanism. The particular device shown in the drawings is arranged at the throat of the die A and its construction is fully shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. The

die A is provided with a sleeve A through which the tube is forcibly drawn and the Fig. 3

nearer inner end of the sleeve A is provided with I a a rotatable collar or ring AA having worm wheel teeth AA which mesh with a worm AA on-a cross shaft AA held in bearings AA on the block A" and is provided with a squared end AA to which a wrench may be applied to turn the shaft and the worm wheel. The collar vA eifamay be tipped ortilted to depress one oit'the other edge of the partially formed metal strip and in this manner the tendency of the strip to creep on twist laterally Thisshaftis carries a short crossbar AA best shown or circumferentially in the dies may be cor- ,r'ected. Only occasional adjustment of the positioning device AA is required to maintain the seam of the tubing in correct position. e

'. The, operation of the welding mechanism proper; B, is such that the abutting edges, t, t,"of the tubing are welded together as rapidly as the tubing moves forward. I may employ welding or seam-closing mechanism of various kinds in lieu of the gasflame welder shown in the drawings, but I find this particulardeyice to be best suited to .usual requirements. The construction and operation of the welding mechanism will be quickly understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4 and 5. One element of the welding mechanism B is a gas torch,

of which B is the burner tip or nozzle.

This nozzle is formed to emit. a fine narrow flame and-the nozzle is so positioned as to direct the; flame upon the seam edges of the tubing. The position of the seam is governed and assured by the positioning device hereinbefore described, and the posi-' tion of the tube, as a whole, with reference to the burner tip on the nozzle is regulated and assured by the operation of parts of the welding mechanism. about to be described. With these factors defined, the torch 'may be fixed or stationary with. respect to the forwardly moving tubing. The parts which hold the tubing (cross-sectionally considered as a whole) in given relation to the torch nozzle are preferably two large rolls B which rotate on vertical axes. These rolls contain peripheral grooves, B that fit the sides of the formed tubing, in the manner shown in Fig. 5. These horizontal rolls, B determine the position of tubing both horizontally and laterally; that is they serve to hold the tub- .ing against lateral movement in any direction at the Welding point without interfering with the forward movement of the tubing. Preferably, these rolls B do not meet but instead leave the extreme top and seam By horizontal adjustment the rolls, B B

may be caused to press upon the sides ofthe tubing and thus press the seam edges of the tubing more or less firmly together, as may be required to insure the proper welding thereof. On the bench Z is a transverse guide-way, Bf-, containing blocks B which are. adjustably secured therein by several The upright shafts B of the rolls B rise from the blocks B and it is by this device that the rolls B are adjusted with respect to the interposed tubing. I- prefer to cool the holding and pressure parts, by applying water thereto Thus, in the machine herein illustrated, the rolls B have cups or recesses B in their tops, and the water flows into these from the pipes B ;overflow is prevented by drain passages and ports 13 and B in the hubs of the rolls B and in the non-rotatiye shafts B thereof. The location of the heating or welding zone is determined by the position of the torch nozzle, and as stated the position of the tube in this zone is determined by the holding or pressure rolls B The torch used is an approved type of oxy-acetylene gas torch. Any torc or burner of suitable type may be substituted for the torch shown, and one which utilizes a non-carbonaceous gas mixture may be advantageously employed in the production of certain kinds of tubing. I do not claim the torch proper as my invention." It comprises the nozzle B, the gas mixing head .B*, the gas pipes B and B, the cylinder B and the head B containing the regulating valves and equipped with nipgles to and B are joined, said-pipes being connected with sources of oxygen and acetylene. The gases, being supplied in proper proportions,

.when ignited burn with great intensity directly at the nozzle. The flame emitted may be described as of two parts, the first being a short intensely hot flame and, the I second, a large relatively far extending c0- rona of lower temperature. An mstants application of the short narrow flame to the edges of the metal tubin causes them to become molten and to flow together. Then if either the flame or the tube be removed the metal cools, leaving the edges in welded condition. Careful regulation of the flame, and of the distance between the nozzle and the tubing, and of the speed of movement of the tubing, are required to produce a uniform continuous weld, and

"these regulations are all accurately accomplished by the herein described machineor mill. The welding torch, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4'and 5, is positioned to direct the flame downwardly and rearwardly at an angle to the tubing, so that the flame enters between the rolls B and the corona spreads along the top of the tubing toward the die block A". One purpose of the arrangement is to utilize otherwise wasted heat, to preheat the edges of the seam in advance of actual welding by the intensely hot short flame before referred to. The preheating may be increased if desired'byanother torch, as indicated in Fig. 4. Any such preheating lessens the time required to weld the seam and consequently permits the tubing to be passed through the machine more rapidly. The welding torch is supported in such -manner that it may be quickly adjusted to working position or moved away; Figs. 4 and 5 disclose the parts by which the torch is thus supported. B are brackets extending from the upper ends of the stud shafts B and carrying a cross rod B, at about the middle of which is an adjustable but normally fixed arm B Pivoted on the end of arm B is a torchcarrying lever B and the arm and lever are provided with stop shoulders B" by which the downward movementof the lever I in which it moves on the pivot-in arm B and the second movement permitted being rotation in'theblock B Obviously these movements admit of any desired manual adjustment of the torch nozzle, with respect to the tubing between therolls B. For

limiting the vertical swing 'of the torch and to enable the nice adjustment of. the nozzle, the block ,B and the lever B are connected by a spring resisted thumb screw B. By turning this, the torch may be swung with respect to the lever B, to raise or lower the nozzle; By raising the' free end of the lever B", the torch may be quickly swung away from the tubing, with out disturbing the nice adjustment of the thumb screw B and the stop shoulder B"; and when again lowered the nozzle will assume its correct relation to the seam of the tubing. If the flame chances to playat one side or the other of the scam the defect maybe quickly remedied by twisting the torch andjsleeve B in the block B Metal -which is vaporized by the Welding flame sometimes condenses upon the tip of the nozzle and tends to distort the welding flame. The metal" thus deposited maybe easily knocked oil? the nozzle. "To relieve theattendant from that duty an automatic knock-off device is provided, the same comprising a light metal finger or bar B .which iscarried by'the lever B, pivoted atzB, see 3, 4 and 5.. Onepf the two rolls B is provided with a series of lugs pins B which strike and operate, theend of the lever B", .thereby rec1 rocating' p or are a spring. The end of the fintime that'it is thrust back by the'lever and 1 mg the top of the tubing as smooth as other the fingeraB. The lever and, returned by ger is concaved to fit the nozzle, and each lugs, it scrapes or knocks the accumulated metal ofi the nozzle tip. From the foregoing it will be clear that the confined abut- V ting edges of the tube are welded together at the instant of passage between the holding rolls B or at the instant immediately followingthe full impingement of the welding flame. It will also be clear that this steadily as fast as the tubing is fed or drawn into the weldingmechanism. Attention is called to the very small area or portion of the tube which is exposed to the hot flame between the rolls B of the welding mechanism. While the circumferential remainder; of the tube is heated as it approaches the torch, on arriving at the rolls B it ischJlIed' thereby.

This chilling prevents its attaining a red heat except in the exposed parts, and in this way possible distortion of the tubing is prevented, and it is permitted to retain nearly the whole of its strength, which latter is seen to be of prime importance when the resistance of the forming mechanism and the heavy pulling force of the traveling V vise are consldered.

As an intermediate step of-my process, I coolthe welded-portion of the tubing as fast as it emerges from the weldmg mechanism; accomplishing. this in the machine. .:sh own, by spraying water upon the tubmg from a pipe, '40

B having a flat nozzle, B atits lower end; v .Thewater from the several places of use is conducted away bya drain; that from the spray nozzle B falling into a drain Jpan B A further purpose in cooling the tubing after it is welded, is toprepare it for the removal of the raised seam or bur (indicated in Fig.3) which -usuall forms on the top of the tubing dur- .i iliwea to remain hot it would detrimentallv afi'ect any bur removing tool which .is

.used. As previously stated, it is preferable" to remove the bur immediately after the tubing is welded and beforeperforming any -further operations thereon, but it should be understood that this operation; rgay follow 'buu-hfemoving mechanism 1 C, appears;- in

circular or oval tubing, it comprises a planer 'hife', tool or blade C positionedin alinement with: the tubing and'which conforms.

to'the top thereof, The tool is arranged at an angle to thej'afile of'tlie tubing and is wifichiforms a part of the tube finishing the welding operation. If the tube were.

.heldby' a block .or standard 1]) image-ac or reducing mechanism. As clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the toolis vertlcally ad justable on the end 6* of an arm C which surfaces thereof, and making the seam practically invisible. v

.I have hereinbefore referred to the fact that 'one of the important purposes of my inventi'on is to provide for the continuous welding of tubing. This makes it desirable that the ..metal shallpass through successive stages at a constant maximum rate of speed and without interruption in the travel thereof. This is accomplished -by the automatic vise or traveling mechanism E. In the machine shown the continuous viseE draws the tubing through the die A and the seam positioner, throughthe rolls B and through the deburring' device, maintaining the tubing .under constanttension. The vise mechanism which I have illustrated has two opposed traveling gripping portions E E divided into and composed of pairs of sections or jaws E which move successively into alinement with and automatically clamp the tub- Y ing as the vise travels. The compressive force with which the vise clamps the tubing .is sufiicient to take firm hold upon it and draw the tubing along without distorting it.

The jaws E are arranged .in pairs and are mounted upon two parallel endless chains E? running over 'correspondin sprockets E and-E respectively,which belng driven by suitable'geari'ngcause the jaws to travel constantly in one direction and at a constant rate ofspeed. Theprincipal source of power for the machine is in the chain beltE which drives the continuous vise E. Itwill be observed that the continuous drawing effort of the traveling vise in pulling the tubing through the die A continuously maintains the tubing under tension while moving it forward at a constant rate. of speed. The

positioning device which has been described, or'any suitable or sufiicient equivalent thereof, causes the seam of the tubing to conform to a vertical plane which includes the axis of the tubing. 7 The rolls B are positioned as shown for engagement with the tensioned portion of the tubing. They furthermore serve to hold the seam edges of the tubing together with as much force as may be required or desirable in the making of a continuous or progressive weld at the seam. :These rolls also serve to carry away the heat from the major portion. 6f the tubing and to maintain the tubing at a temperature so low asto prevent ossible disruption or stretch- .."ing'of'the tublng by the stretching force of th'e' draft mechanism. Furthermore these rolls-perform still another and an important function; their upper edges rise to a considerable height above the seam edges of the tubing and virtually form a moving walled I means being providedfor driving the tubing" groove or heat retaining channel or oven which serves to limit or confine the flame and the heat of the torch to .the immediate seam edgesr It will now be clear that the tubing asit moves past the point of heat application is held positively against lateral movement in-any direction, the welding heat is limited to the seam edges and substantially v the maximum tensile strength of the tubing is continuously maintained through the effective chilling of all parts of the tubing, clrcumferentially considered except those edge portions to which the welding heat is applied. The welding'torch flame isdefinitely located with respect to the seam edges, by means of the supporting and adjusting parts hereinbefore described and any slight inaccuracy in the position of the flame may be readily corrected by means of the adjusting parts. I regard it as important that the welding torch shall, as herein'before described, be supported in such manner that it may be moved out of welding position at any time and instantly restored to welding position Without necessity for any delicate readjustment of the nozzle withrespect to the tubing. The slight bur which is raised upon the seam by the progressive wielding operation is not always objectionable but where its presence would be objectionable it may be readily removed in the course of the welding operation by resort to the deburring device above dsecribed.

I desire that it be understood that other.

1 means than the continuous vise herein shown fications of my invention and various commay be employed for imparting longitudinal movement to the tubing, without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. This is particularly the case where this welding mechanism is to be employed in connection with relatively short lengths of open-seamed tubing.

While the welding mechanism herein illustrated is constructed to make tubing, I wish it to be understood that my invention is adapted to the production of similar or different metal articles. Indeed, various modibinations and uses of the mechanism herein described, all within the scope 'of myinven tion, subject only to express limitations inv the claims, will readily suggest themselves to one who is skilled in-the art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 2 1. A continuous tube mill which comprises a' seam positioner which causes the seam of the tubing to conform to a straight line, in combination with rotary means for holding the tubingat one point against lat eral movement in any direction. and formed that point,a seam welder for welding such exposed seam edges at the exposed point,

to expose the sea-in edges of the tubing at the tubing to conform to 'a straight. line, in

combination with rotary means for holding the tubing for welding purposes at one point agi inst lateral movement in any direction an .formed to expose the seam edges of the tubing and press them' together atthat point, means being provided. for driving the tubing forward;

3. A continuous tube mill comprising a seam positioner adapted to straighten the seam of a longitudinally seamed metal tube moving therethrough, in combination with rotary means operatively alined' with said positioner for holding the tubeiagainst lateral movement in any direction at one point in its travel said means bein formed to expose the seain edges ofthetu e at that point and, to chill the circumferential remainder thereof at the said point, a gas torch positioned to deliver a welding flame upon said edges of the tube at said point and means foi-5 imparting longitudinal movement to the. we a u 4. A continuous tube welding mechanism comprising relatively fixed means for sub jecting a longitudinally seamed metal tube .to tension and simultaneously moving it 5. A continuoustiibe welding mec'hanism comprising relatively fixed means for fleeting t e s t n l esame meta t be to tension and simultaneously moving it (longitudinally at a constant rate 01f speed,

1n combination with rotary devices positioned at one point inthe' travel of the tensioned tube and at that point servingto hold the tube against lateral movemen 1n direction, said devices being-formed to circumferentially engage the tube and yet expose the seam edges thereof at said point, welding means for progressively unit ng; the seam edges-thus held and exposed.

- 6; A continuous tube welding mechanism comprising relatively fixed means for sub jectin'g a longitudinally seamed metal to tension and simultaneously moving 1t longitudinally at a constantrate of; in combinationwith rotary devices'pos tioned at one point inthe travel oi i'-the.ten.-

sioned tube and at that point serving to hold the tube: against lateral; is;

direction, said devices being formed and adapted to press the seam edges of the tube together and expose them at said point, and

a gas torch having a nozzle positioned to direct a welding flame upon the seam edges thus progressively held and exposed.

7 A continuous tube welding mechanism A comprising relatively fixed means for imparting longitudinal movement to a longitudinally seamed metal tube, in combination withrotary devices positigned at one point in the travel of the tube and at that point serving to hold the tube against lateral movement in any direction, said devices being formed and adapted to press the seam edges of the tube together and expose them at said point, and a welding torch for progressively uniting the seam edges where thus held and-exposed. 2

8. continuous tube welding mechanism comprislng relatively fixed means for subjecting a longithdinally seamed metal tube to tension and simultaneously moving it longitudinally at a constant rate of speed, progressive seam-positioning means, rotary devices positioned at one polnt in-the travel of the tensionedtube and at that point serving to hold the tube against lateral movement in any direction, said devices being formed and adapted to press the seam edges of the tube together and expose them while chilling the circumferential remainder of the tube at said point, and welding means operative at said point for progressively unit ng the seam edges thus held and ex posed. a

9. Acontinuous tube welding mechanism comprising relatively'fixed means for sub- 4 ectmg a longitudinally seamed metal tube I to receive the tube as'it leaves said point.

to tension and .simultaneouslymovingit Ion-- gltud nally at a constant rate of speed, in combmatlon with rotary devices positioned at one point in the travel of the tensioned tube and at that {point serving to hold the tube against lateral movement in any direc- ,tlon and expose its seam-edges, welding 4 means operative, at said point for progres: slvely umtmg the seam edges thus held andexposed and a deburring device positioned 10 continuous tube mill adapted to weld longitud nally seamedmeta'l tubing compris mg opposed rotary devices fitted to the tubmg' and adapted to hold the tubing at one. polntagamstlateral movement in any di-' rection, said devices being formed to expose,

the seamedges of the'tubing and also fOrming; heat ,r'etainers 'or localizers adjacent the A exposed edges in combinationwith; a torch rec adaptedit'ojdeliver a welding-flame upon the edges of the tubing between said rotary de vices. ,4 1-1. A .tube mill adapted to weld longime a tudinally seamed metal tubing comprising opposed rotary devices fitted to the tubing and at one point serving to hold the tubing against lateral movement in any direction, in combination with means for moving the tubing through said, holding means at a constant rate of speed, said'holdingmeans being formed to expose the seam edges of the tubing and chill the circumferential remainder-thereof at said point, and a gas torch adapted to direct a welding flame upon said seam edges between said rotary devices.

12. A mill for welding longitudinally seamed metal tubing comprising rotary holding means in combination with means for moving tubing through said holding means, said holding means being formed to expose the seam edges of the tubing and press themtogether, and a gas torch adapted to deliver a welding flame upon said seam edges Where thus exposed and pressed together. 1

13. The herein described mechanism for welding longitudinally seamed tubing while the same is in longitudinal motion comprisingrotary holding means for holding the moving tubing against lateral movement in any direction 'at one point in the travel thereof, in combination with a welding torch adapted to deliver a welding flame upon the seam edges of the tubing at said point.

14. A progressive tube welding mecha nism, comprising opposed rotary tube holders formed to receive and guide a longitudinally moving metal tube and progressively .expose the seam edges thereof in combina- 1 herein described comprising holding devices and'a welding torch adjacent thereto," in

combination with means for cooling the article as it leaves said torch, a deburring device and means for longitudinally moving the article with respect to said devices and torch, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of April, 1912, in

the presence. of two subscribing WltllBSSGS. MARSHALL BURNS LL OYD. Witnesses: CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY,

C. O. PoRTnRrmLD. 

